"I just started putting myself out there," she says. "I wrote letters and emails, and sent my pictures — and they got recognized. The pictures worked. They helped out a lot."

Those same pictures have been carrying Pistone throughout the current Maxim competition. One might think her confidence has grown along the way as well, but she says that isn't the case.

"A lot of people would think so," Pistone confesses. "Like, 'Wow, that would make me feel so good.' I can't really say that it's changed my attitude confidence-wise. It's really cool, and I'm excited about it, but it doesn't really change my attitude at all. I think I'm just really hard on myself."

In fact, as Pistone prepares for an upcoming shoot, she is struggling quite a bit with her emotions.

"I honestly don't even feel like I'm ready for it," she says of the impending shoot. "I'm like, "I wish I had more time to get in better shape.' I always say that though."

While her success in the "Hotties" competition hasn't impacted her ego, Pistone is willing to admit that she's thankful for what potentially lies ahead.

"As long as I get the opportunity to have a photo shoot with [Maxim], I think that's good enough right there," she says. "I would love to win, but I'm not praying every night, 'I want to win!' "

Instead, Pistone's focus is on her now emerging career. In May, she signed with CESD Talent, and she is currently in the process of moving to L.A. Pistone shares that she was spending nearly $600 in gas each month commuting for casting calls, sometimes up to five times a week.

"I'm just getting started with [CESD]," she says. "I've barely been able to start working with them. They still want me to get some more pictures — more cute-looking pictures. That girl next door kind of look."

Being relatively new to the business, Pistone knows that many challenges lie ahead for her. One such challenge is her height, since she stands just 5'5".

"It's really hard when you're not 5'7" and above," she says. "It's hard to get into the industry when you're not really tall. I'm not trying to be runway or anything, so it's been OK so far."